Model policy and procedure for nurturing a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate — Adoption by school districts.
RCW 28A.345.085
in effect(1) The Washington state school directors' association shall develop a model policy and procedure for nurturing a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate. The goal of the policy and procedure is to support and promote school and school district action plans that create, maintain, and nurture physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe, respectful, and positive school and classroom environments that foster equitable, ethical, social, emotional, and academic education for all students. The association shall update the model policy and procedure periodically to align with the work of the social-emotional learning committee created under RCW 28A.300.477 . (2) The model policy and procedure must include the following elements: (a) Recognize that there is not one best way to create, maintain, and nurture a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate and consider each school's history, strengths, needs, and goals; (b) Define and describe the essential elements of a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate, which must align with the social-emotional learning standards and benchmarks adopted by the office of the superintendent of public instruction under RCW 28A.300.478 ; (c) Recognize the important role that students' families play in collaborating with the school and school district in creating, maintaining, and nurturing a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate; and (d) Describe a framework for an effective and informed positive social and emotional school and classroom climate improvement process that includes a continuous cycle of planning and preparation, evaluation, action planning, and implementation. (3)(a) The model policy and procedure must also protect the integrity of learning environments with the following elements: (i) School districts must provide information to the parents and guardians of enrolled students regarding students' rights to a free public education, regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs. (ii) School districts must provide meaningful access to this information for families with limited English proficiency. (b) The elements described in this subsection (3) may be included in a separate model policy and procedure. (4) In developing the model policy and procedure described in this section, the Washington state school directors' association must: (a) Consult with staff at the office of the superintendent of public instruction and organizations with expertise in social and emotional health and in equity, race, and inclusive learning environments; (b) Work with the social-emotional learning committee created under RCW 28A.300.477 to align the climate improvement framework with the statewide framework for social-emotional learning; (c) Consider the relationship between the model policy and procedure and policies related to student behaviors and student discipline; and (d) Review research on, and examples of effective implementation of, restorative practices, collaborative and proactive practices, trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed practices, classroom management, and other topics related to the goal of the policy as identified in subsection (1) of this section. (5) The model policy and procedure developed under this section must be posted publicly on the Washington state school directors' association's website by March 1, 2021. Updates to the model policy and procedure must be posted publicly within a reasonable time of development. (6)(a) By the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, each school district must adopt or amend if necessary policies and procedures that, at a minimum, incorporate all the elements described in subsection (3) of this section. School districts must periodically review their policies and procedures for consistency with updated versions of the model policy. (b) By the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, each school district may adopt or amend if necessary policies and procedures that incorporate the elements described in subsection (2) of this section. School districts may periodically review their policies and procedures for consistency with updated versions of the model policy.
(1) The Washington state school directors' association shall develop a model policy and procedure for nurturing a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate. The goal of the policy and procedure is to support and promote school and school district action plans that create, maintain, and nurture physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe, respectful, and positive school and classroom environments that foster equitable, ethical, social, emotional, and academic education for all students. The association shall update the model policy and procedure periodically to align with the work of the social-emotional learning committee created under RCW 28A.300.477 .
(2) The model policy and procedure must include the following elements:
(a) Recognize that there is not one best way to create, maintain, and nurture a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate and consider each school's history, strengths, needs, and goals;
(b) Define and describe the essential elements of a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate, which must align with the social-emotional learning standards and benchmarks adopted by the office of the superintendent of public instruction under RCW 28A.300.478 ;
(c) Recognize the important role that students' families play in collaborating with the school and school district in creating, maintaining, and nurturing a positive social and emotional school and classroom climate; and
(d) Describe a framework for an effective and informed positive social and emotional school and classroom climate improvement process that includes a continuous cycle of planning and preparation, evaluation, action planning, and implementation.
(3)(a) The model policy and procedure must also protect the integrity of learning environments with the following elements:
(i) School districts must provide information to the parents and guardians of enrolled students regarding students' rights to a free public education, regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs.
(ii) School districts must provide meaningful access to this information for families with limited English proficiency.
(b) The elements described in this subsection (3) may be included in a separate model policy and procedure.
(4) In developing the model policy and procedure described in this section, the Washington state school directors' association must:
(a) Consult with staff at the office of the superintendent of public instruction and organizations with expertise in social and emotional health and in equity, race, and inclusive learning environments;
(b) Work with the social-emotional learning committee created under RCW 28A.300.477 to align the climate improvement framework with the statewide framework for social-emotional learning;
(c) Consider the relationship between the model policy and procedure and policies related to student behaviors and student discipline; and
(d) Review research on, and examples of effective implementation of, restorative practices, collaborative and proactive practices, trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed practices, classroom management, and other topics related to the goal of the policy as identified in subsection (1) of this section.
(5) The model policy and procedure developed under this section must be posted publicly on the Washington state school directors' association's website by March 1, 2021. Updates to the model policy and procedure must be posted publicly within a reasonable time of development.
(6)(a) By the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, each school district must adopt or amend if necessary policies and procedures that, at a minimum, incorporate all the elements described in subsection (3) of this section. School districts must periodically review their policies and procedures for consistency with updated versions of the model policy.
(b) By the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, each school district may adopt or amend if necessary policies and procedures that incorporate the elements described in subsection (2) of this section. School districts may periodically review their policies and procedures for consistency with updated versions of the model policy.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.345&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026